Shows / Between Contractions
Between Contractions
Between Contractions is a real, honest space where we talk about the hard stuff—between the hard stuff. Hosted by Amsy Dees, a certified birth and postpartum doula and Stephanie Dawson, a board-certified lactation consultant, this podcast brings together expert insight and real-life experience. Each episode is filled with practical tips, thoughtful conversations, and authentic stories designed to empower families as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum journey.
Episodes
Between Contractions#45 - Christina’s Nine Births: Pitocin, a Surprise Breech at Home & Everything In Between
Amsy sits down with her friend Christina Duarte: doula, Evidence Based Birth instructor, wife, and mom of nine. Nine kids means nine very different births…
Between Contractions#44 - Bad Advice We’re Ghosting This Halloween Season
It’s spooky season, and nothing is scarier than bad advice that spreads like wildfire through Facebook groups, family group chats, and well-meaning Instagram…
Between Contractions#43 - Abby's Story: Unexpected Pregnancy, HG, and Building a Village from Scratch
Abby would like to dedicate this episode to her dad, Tim Murray, who suddenly passed away just 5 days after this episode was recorded. He was an incredible…
Between Contractions#42 - Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day
This episode is a little different. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day — Amsy takes a quiet moment to honor the babies who were lost too soon, and the…
Between Contractions#41 - Maternal Mental Health: Seeing Moms Before The Crisis
Amsy is joined by her good friend Nicoletta Whiteman or “Nico” — licensed professional counselor, complex trauma specialist, and maternal mental health…
Between Contractions#40 - What Actually Happens at a Lactation Consult
Amsy and Stephanie have been saying it for 40 episodes: go see a lactation consultant. But what actually happens when you get there? In this episode they pull…
Between Contractions#39 -Returning to Work: What Nobody Tells You Until It's Too Late
Nobody really wants to go back to work after having a baby. But for most families, it's not optional. In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie tackle one of the…
Between Contractions#38 - Destiny's Story: A Birth Center Birth, a Hurricane, and Learning to Ask for Support
In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie sit down with their friend and fellow doula Destiny Perez for a conversation that covers nearly a decade of perspective —…
Between Contractions#37 - What to Actually Pack in Your Hospital Bag
Every doula gets asked the same question by every client: what do I actually need in my hospital bag? The online lists exist, but they leave everyone wondering…
Between Contractions#36 - People Pleasing Is Ruining Your Birth Experience
What if one of the biggest threats to your birth experience isn't your due date, your hospital, or your provider — but your inability to say no? Amsy and…
Between Contractions#35 - Shane's Turn: A Dad's Perspective on Loss, Birth & Showing Up
We've heard Carlee's story across two episodes. Now it's Shane's turn. Shane Castro — husband, dad, and business development director — sits down with Amsy and…
Between Contractions#34 - Carlee's Story: The Clipboard, the Comeback & Baby Number Two (Part 2)
Carlee Castro is back for Part 2, and this one goes even deeper. What started as a birth story becomes something bigger: a conversation about postpartum…
Between Contractions#33 - Carlee's Story — Breech, Unexpected Labor & Learning to Ask for Help (Part 1)
This episode, Amsy and Stephanie sit down with Carlee Castro for the first of a two-part conversation about her journey through pregnancy loss, a breech baby…
Between Contractions#32 - Our Dream Hospital: A Wishlist from Two People Who've Seen Too Many That Fall Short
There's a new hospital opening locally, and everyone wants to know: does it have tubs? Does it have showers? Is it actually going to be different? Amsy and…
Between Contractions#31 - Pitocin Demystified: What It Is, What It Does, And Why You Might Use It.
Pitocin might be the most fear-mongered medication on the internet right now. Every corner of Instagram and TikTok seems to have a take that boils down to…
Between Contractions#30 - The Kids Ask The Hard Questions
We're doing something a little different for Episode 30. Amsy and Stephanie handed the microphone to their kids — ranging from age 5 to 12 — and let them ask…
Between Contractions#29 - Storm Season, Babies & What to Do When Plans Fall Apart
Florida parents, this one is for you — but honestly, wherever you live and whatever weather you're bracing for, this episode applies. Amsy and Stephanie are…
Between Contractions#28 - Dr. Kristen Kleponis: Your Pelvic Floor Called — It Needs a Word
Amsy is joined by Dr. Kristen Kleponis, a pelvic floor physical therapist, co-owner of Wonderfully Made PT, and co-founder of Swann Collaborative. If you…
Between Contractions#27 - Why Prenatal Lactation Assessments Matter More Than You Think
In this episode, Amsy talks with Stephanie about a service that's often overlooked until it's too late: the prenatal lactation assessment. The core idea is…
Between Contractions#26 - Building Psychological Capital for Pregnancy, Birth & Beyond
In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie introduce a concept they think every parent needs in their toolkit: psychological capital. This isn't about toxic…
Between Contractions#25 - A NICU Mom's Story: Dr. Ariel Evans (Part 2)
In Part 2 of this conversation, Stephanie, Amsy and Dr. Ariel pick back up where they left off, moving from the birth story into the emotional terrain of NICU…
- Between Contractions
#24 - A NICU Mom's Story: Dr. Ariel Evans (Part 1)
In this episode, Stephanie sits down with Dr. Ariel Evans — pelvic floor physical therapist, co- owner of Wonderfully Made PT, co-founder of Swann…
Between Contractions#23 - Pet Peeves: More Things That Drive Us Crazy (Part 2)
Amsy and Stephanie are back with Part 2 of their pet peeves episode, and they've still got plenty to say. From old wives' tales to outdated hospital practices…
Between Contractions#22 - Pet Peeves: Things That Drive Us Crazy (Part 1)
Amsy and Stephanie had so many pet peeves to get through that this episode turned into a two-parter. In Part 1, they dig into some of the most common…
Between Contractions#21 - Let's Talk About Bed Sharing — The Worst Kept Secret
In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie tackle one of the most common — and least talked about — realities of new parenthood: bed sharing. Studies suggest around…
Between Contractions#20 - The Five S's & Other Ways to Soothe Your Baby
In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie walk through the Five S's — a classic framework for soothing a fussy baby — plus a handful of bonus techniques that go…
Between Contractions#19 - Hospital-Employed Doulas — Game Changer or Band-Aid?
In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie dig into a headline-making story: the University of Chicago Medical Center announced it will staff around-the-clock doulas…
Between Contractions#18 - Booby Traps: Common Pitfalls That Can Derail Your Milk Supply
In this episode, Amsy and Stephanie have a candid rundown of the most common "booby traps" — well-meaning but potentially harmful mistakes that can unknowingly…
Between Contractions#17 - Pain Relief Options in Labor — What You Actually Need to Know
In this episode, Amsy walks us through the medical pain relief options available during labor, from the lowest-intervention techniques all the way to the…
Between Contractions#16 - Your Magic Number & What It Means for Your Milk Supply
In this episode Between Contractions, Stephanie breaks down the concept of "magic number" — a key but often overlooked factor in understanding and maintaining…
Between Contractions#15 - How To Avoid An Unnecessary Induction
In this episode of Between Contractions, Amsy walks listeners through what they need to know about labor inductions — specifically how to avoid one that may…
Between Contractions#14 - Is Formula The Secret To Marriage Equality? (We Don't Think So)
In this episode of Between Contractions, Amsy and Stephanie respond to a viral article (see link below) suggesting that partners should give bottles in order…
Between Contractions#13 - Healthy Start Coalition with Amy Beascoechea
In this episode of Between Contractions, Amsy talks with Amy Beascoechea from the Healthy Start Coalition about a free, statewide program supporting families…
Between Contractions#12 - De-Influencing Your Baby Registry (Part 2)
In this episode of Between Contractions, we continue our conversation about de-influencing your baby registry, taking a closer look at which products are truly…
Between Contractions#11 - De-Influencing Your Baby Registry (Part 1)
In this episode of Between Contractions, we have some fun “de-influencing your baby registry” by breaking down popular baby products and whether they’re…
Between Contractions#10 - The First Latch
In this episode of Between Contractions, we focus on one of the most important early moments after birth: the first latch. Stephanie, a board certified IBCLC…
Between Contractions#9 - The T.E.A.M Method: Coping Through Labor Without Meds
In this episode of Between Contractions, we introduce the TEAM method—a practical framework designed to help families navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum…
Between Contractions#8 - Use Your B.R.A.I.N.S.
In this episode of Between Contractions, we discuss how to make informed decisions during labor using the BRAIN acronym—a simple tool to help parents slow…
Between Contractions#7 - Birth Plans: Why They Matter
This episode of Between Contractions focuses on creating a birth plan and why it matters. We explain that a birth plan isn’t about controlling every detail of…
Between Contractions#6 - Process NOT Procedure: A Look At Oral Ties & How To Fix Them (Special Guest: Dr. Katie Peeples)
In this episode of Between Contractions we sit down with chiropractor Dr. Katie Peeples to unpack the facts, myths, and gray areas surrounding tongue ties…
Between Contractions#5: Building A Better Support Circle (Part 3 - Postpartum)
In this episode of Between Contractions, we wrap up our birth team series by focusing on the postpartum season—often the most overlooked phase of support. They…
Between Contractions#4: Building A Better Support Circle (Part 2 - Birth)
In this episode of Between Contractions, the conversation breaks down the roles of the birth-day team, including medical providers like midwives or OBs…
Between Contractions#3: Building A Better Support Circle (Part 1 – Pregnancy)
In this episode of Between Contractions, we begin a new series on building your birth team, starting with the pregnancy season. They discuss why support during…
Between Contractions#2: Where to Deliver? Choosing Between Home, Birth Center, or Hospital
In this episode of Between Contractions, we explore the pros, cons, and safety considerations of home birth, birth centers, and hospital births—breaking down…
Between Contractions#1: Nesting or Needing Help? Understanding the Nesting Instinct vs. Overwhelm
In this episode of Between Contractions, we explore the difference between the nesting instinct and prenatal overwhelm. While nesting is a natural…